This document provides information about Earth Day, tips for living more sustainably, local upcoming events, and details about the first-time homebuyer tax credit. It encourages reducing waste and energy usage, and highlights resources for learning more about Earth Day celebrations and conducting a home energy audit. Key dates mentioned include the tax credit deadline of April 30th and various regional spring festivals in April.

1. the home
T.J. Navilio, Realtor IMS
Windermere
connection
253-653-0293
tnavilio@windermere.com | www.tjnavilio.com
V o l u m e 1 | I s s u e 3 April 2010
Earth Day | 4.22.10
This year marks the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day.
Earth Day founder, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, first
proposed a national environmental teach-in day to a conservation
group in Seattle in September of 1969.
Denis Hayes was the principal organizer of the first Earth Day, which took place a
few months later in 1970. Over 20 million people participated that first year.
www.wikipedia.org
Visit the websites below to find out how to get involved in Earth Day:
www.earthday.net
www.earthday.org
www.earthday.gov
Going Green
Going green has never been easier! Here’s how you can
help the environment while cutting back your bills!
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Buy products with less packaging.
Buy reusable canvas bags for your grocery shopping.
Buy a reusable water bottle and drink filtered tap water
Recycle your food waste in the yard waste bin.
Start your own compost bin.
Buy locally and support shops and restaurants that do the same.
www.heartofwashington.com
www.ecovian.com
Pay bills online.
Saving Gas
Walk, bike, carpool or take public transportation whenever possible.
Telecommute... even one day a week makes a difference.
Avoid waiting in long drive-thru lines. Park your car and go in.
Buy a SmartWay Certified vehicle.
There are lending institutions that discount loans for buying them.
www.epa.gov/smartway
Saving Water
Turn off the faucet when brushing teeth and shaving.
Take showers instead of baths.
When buying new appliances look for the WaterSense label.
Saving Energy
Turn off appliances when not in use and unplug them from outlets.
Replace light bulbs with CFLs.
Install a programmable thermostat.
When buying new appliances make sure they are Energy Star.
Purchase a portable spin dryer (for use by itself or paired with a conventional dryer).
Conduct a home energy audit.
A Home Energy Audit can help you pinpoint where your home is losing energy
and will determine the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems.
Find local energy audit companies:
www.ecovian.com
Before contacting a company make sure to check references and find out if they
were satisfied with the work. Also, make sure the auditor uses a calibrated blower
door.
Find info on doing your own audit:
www.energysavers.gov
Local Happenings
Skagit Valley Tulip Festival (see below for more info)
April 1-30
www.tulipfestival.org
Puyallup Spring Fair
April 15-18
www.thefair.com/spring-fair
Seattle Cherry Blossom Festival
April 16-18
www.seattlecenter.com
2010 Skagit Valley
Tulip Festival
25th Annual Tulip Run
4/10, 9:30am
www.tuliprun.com
29th Annual Tulip Pedal
4/17, 7am-4pm
www.skagitems.com
Art in the Pickle Barn
www.skagitart.org | 360-757-2109
RoozenGaarde
www.tulips.com | 360-424-8531
Skagit Valley Gardens
www.skagitvalleygardens.com
Tulip Country Bike Tours
www.countrycycling.com
Tulip Town
www.tuliptown.com | 360-424-8152
For more information & activities please visit
www.tulipfestival.org
Making tulips last!
Choose tulips that are tightly closed, this means they are fresher.
Re-cut and re-water them daily.
Keep them away from direct sunlight and heat. At night, store them in the coolest
room in house.
Place a penny in the bottom of the vase... it’s been said to work!
Did you know...
that you could get a tax credit of up $8,000 just for buying a home? But you
need to hurry! The home buyer tax credit is ending on April 30, 2010. That means
you must have a binding sales contract signed by this day and complete financing
by June 30, 2010.
First Time homeowners are eligible for a tax credit of 10% of the home’s purchase
price, up to $8,000. For this program the IRS defines a first-time home buyer as
someone who has not owned a principal residence during the three-year period
prior to the purchase. The credit applies to homes priced at $800,000 or less.
Current homeowners may be eligible for a tax credit of 10% of the home’s pur-
chase price, up to $6,500. These homebuyers must have lived in their home for 5
consecutive years over the previous 8 years to qualify. The purchase must be for
their primary residence, must be made between November 7, 2009 and April 30,
2010 and must be $800,000 or less.
For more information please visit warealtor.org
IMPORTANT april dates
April 1, Thursday
April Fools Day
April 4, Sunday
Easter
April 12, Monday
Mariner’s First Home Game of the season - vs. Oakland
www.seattle.mariners.mlb.com
April 21, Wednesday
Administrative Professionals Day
April 22, Thursday
Earth Day
April 30, Friday
First-Time homebuyer tax credit ends
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